Single mothers: Tories make us feel like second class families

David Cameron was accused of "stigmatising" single mothers today despite trying to reassure them that his tax perks for marriage were not an attack on other lifestyles.

The Tory leader was subjected to a barrage of critical questions from lone parents after he gave a speech on the issue to campaign group Gingerbread in north London.

He came under fire from single mothers who said he was guilty of "discrimination" and asked him why their children should be penalised financially for the fact that their husband had walked out.

Mr Cameron refused to back off his belief that marriage was the best environment for families, but stressed he would not ignore the difficulties they faced. "Lone parents will not be on their own," he said. "There is not and never will be a war on single parents."

Fiona Weir, chief executive of Gingerbread, said: "The good news was that David Cameron was clear he does not want to go back to the days of stigmatising single parents. But he doesn't realise the way he talks makes single parents feel like they are in second-class families."